When the Packers play host to the Seahawks on Sunday night, much of the attention will be on how Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will fare against Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary that is missing Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor.
But the key to the night just might be how well the Packers secondary defends against Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his receivers.
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Wilson exploited the Packers secondary to help lead the Seahawks to a come-from-behind win in January’s NFC championship game. He made plays with his feet, causing Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields to badly miss while scrambling to the Packers 1 late in the fourth quarter.
He later completed a two-point conversion pass with Green Bay safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix completely misplaying the throw to Seahawks tight end Luke Willson.
The Packers secondary, especially Clinton-Dix, must remain disciplined against the Seahawks because of Wilson’s ability to extend plays.
Doug Baldwin went for 106 yards while matched up against Casey Hayward for most of the game, so Hayward clearly must play better and not bite on double moves.
In their 34-31 overtime win over the Seahawks last Sunday, the Rams were able to keep both Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch in check by applying consistent pressure. The Rams sacked Wilson six times through a variety of looks and different shifts. Green Bay’s front seven can assist the secondary by applying pressure and keeping Lynch contained.
On Trumaine Johnson’s interception of Wilson, the Rams blitzed linebacker Alec Ogletree on the right side between the guard and tackle gap, making right tackle Garry Gilliam choose between Ogletree and defensive end Chris Long. The result was both Ogletree and Long getting to Wilson, who threw off his back foot.
Green Bay used deception on Jay Cutler’s fourth-quarter interception by Clay Matthews. The Packers linebacker lined up as a pass rusher before dropping across the field to cut in front of Cutler’s pass intended for tight end Martellus Bennett.
But the Packers cannot rely on deceptive schemes against Seattle. They must remain controlled in coverage and make tackles in front of them.
Shields played poorly against Chicago and needs to have a much better game or else Seahawks receivers like Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and speedy rookie Tyler Lockett could make big plays like Marquess Wilson’s 50-yard reception last week.
The Packers, who allowed 141 rushing yards by Chicago’s Matt Forte last Sunday and 157 yards by Lynch in January, will try to take away the run. If the Packers can make the Seahawks one-dimensional by slowing down Seattle’s powerful ground game, the secondary will have the onus of making it difficult for Wilson and the Seattle receivers.
If Seattle can find success on the ground and through the air, it could be a shootout at Lambeau Field.